Safety garments and related methods

ABSTRACT

Safety garments according to particular embodiments include a body portion and an elongated safety tether. In various embodiments, the safety tether comprises an elongated tether portion that extends between a first end and a second end, a first connecting element disposed adjacent the first end, a second connecting element disposed adjacent the second end, and a shock absorption portion disposed along at least a portion of the elongated tether portion. In various embodiments, the connecting elements are configured to allow a user to selectively couple the connecting elements to corresponding connecting elements. In particular embodiments, the shock absorption portion is configured to allow the safety tether to extend to a length greater than a neutral length in response to a tensile force and is further configured to bias the shock absorption portion to the neutral length.

BACKGROUND

When traveling with more than one person, particularly children, peoplemay desire to reduce the risk of becoming separated from othertravelers. Tethering people together may be dangerous or lead toinjuries to one or more of the tethered persons. Accordingly, there is aneed for improved techniques and tools that address these issues.

SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

A safety garment for selectively coupling a first user to a second user,according to particular embodiments, comprises a body portion and anelongated safety tether. In particular embodiments, the body portioncomprises a first connecting element. In various embodiments, the safetytether has a first length when in a neutral state and comprises: (1) afirst end region comprising a second connecting element; (2) a secondend region comprising a third connecting element; (3) at least oneelongated tether portion that extends between the first and second endregions and comprises a front and rear surface; and (4) a shockabsorption portion disposed along at least a portion of the at least oneelongated tether portion. In various embodiments, the first connectingelement is configured to allow the first user to selectively couple thefirst connecting element to the second connecting element. In particularembodiments, the third connecting element is configured to allow thefirst user to selectively couple the second connecting element to aconnecting element associated with a safety garment of the second user.In various embodiments, the shock absorption portion is configured toallow the safety tether to extend to a second length at least partiallyin response to a first particular tensile force on the safety tether. Inparticular embodiments, the shock absorption portion is configured tobias the safety tether toward the neutral state.

A safety tether for selectively coupling a first object to a secondobject, according to particular embodiments, has a first length in aneutral state and comprises: (1) a first end region comprising a firstconnecting element; (2) a second end region comprising a secondconnecting element; (3) at least one elongated tether portion thatextends between the first and second end regions and comprises a frontand rear surface; and (4) a shock absorption portion disposed along atleast a portion of the at least one elongated tether portion. In variousembodiments, the first connecting element is configured to allow a userto selectively couple the first connecting element to a third connectingelement associated with the first object. In particular embodiments, thesecond connecting element is configured to allow the first user toselectively couple the second connecting element to a fourth connectingelement associated with the second object. In various embodiments, theshock absorption portion is configured to allow the safety tether toextend to a second length at least partially in response to a firstparticular tensile force on the safety tether. In particularembodiments, the shock absorption portion is configured to bias thesafety tether toward the neutral state in which the safety tether has alength that is substantially the first length.

A method of selectively coupling a first person to a second person,according to various embodiments, comprises providing a safety tether,where the safety tether has a first length in a neutral state andcomprises: (1) a first end region comprising a first connecting element;(2) a second end region comprising a second connecting element; (3) atleast one elongated tether portion that extends between the first andsecond end regions and comprises a front and rear surface; and (4) ashock absorption portion disposed along at least a portion of the atleast one elongated tether portion. In various embodiments, the firstconnecting element is configured to allow a user to selectively couplethe first connecting element to a third connecting element associatedwith the first person. In particular embodiments, the second connectingelement is configured to allow the first user to selectively couple thesecond connecting element to a fourth connecting element associated withthe second person. In various embodiments, the shock absorption portionis configured to allow the safety tether to extend to a second length atleast partially in response to a first particular tensile force on thesafety tether. In particular embodiments, the shock absorption portionis configured to bias the safety tether toward the neutral state inwhich the safety tether has a length that is substantially the firstlength. In various embodiments, the method further comprises couplingthe first connecting element to the third connecting element andcoupling the second connecting element to the fourth connecting element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described various embodiments in general terms, referencewill now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarilydrawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1. is a safety garment according to a particular embodiment.

FIG. 1A is a detail view of a connecting element of the safety garmentof FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a safety garment according to another embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a safety garment according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is yet another embodiment of a safety garment.

FIG. 5 is safety connector according to a particular embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a connecting element according to a particular embodiment.

FIG. 6B is a connecting element according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6C is a connecting element according to yet another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that theinvention may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Safety Garment

Vest Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a safety garment 10, which isembodied by a vest-like support region 12 to be worn by a person. As maybe understood from this figure, the safety garment comprises the supportregion 12 and a safety tether 28. As shown in this figure, the supportregion 12 is substantially vest-shaped (e.g., comprises a vest) anddefines first and second arm holes adjacent an upper portion of thesupport region 12 on opposing lateral portions of the support region 12.The support region further defines a cutaway 13 that runs from an uppercentral portion of the support region 12 down the front chest area ofthe support region 12 to the support region's bottom portion. In variousembodiments, the support region comprise one or more fasteners 16, 18 atthe open section 13 of the chest and waist areas, which are configuredto ensure a substantially stable anchoring of the vest-like supportregion 12 on the torso of a person. In various embodiments, the one ormore fasteners 16, 18 may include one or more hook and loop fasteners(e.g., Velcro fasteners). In other embodiments, the support region 12may be closed or maintained about the torso of a person using any othersuitable mechanism or fastener (e.g., a zipper, buttons, snaps, etc.).

The support region 12, according to the embodiment in this figure,comprises a pocket 22 that is disposed adjacent (e.g., to) a frontlateral portion 20 of the support region 12 (e.g., adjacent to where awearer of the safety garment's hip would be). In other embodiments, thepocket 22 may be disposed in any other suitable location on the supportregion 12. In particular embodiments, the pocket 22 comprises asubstantially rectangular (e.g, rectangular) piece of material 24 thatis attached (e.g., to) the support region 12 using any suitabletechnique (e.g., using sewing, fabric welding, etc. around at least aportion of a perimeter of the piece of material 24 to define the pocket22) and defines a pocket opening 26 along an upper portion of the pocket22.

In various embodiments, in order to establish a signal effect thevest-like support region 12 may be embodied in an intense color, forexample a fluorescent color, and may be equipped at various sectionswith a reflective material 14 in order to increase the visibility of awearer even at night and/or in darkness. In other embodiments, thesafety garment may include any other suitable material and may includebattery powered lighting devices to make the vest-like support region 12visible at night.

As shown in FIG. 1, the safety garment 10 further comprises theelongated tape-like safety tether 28 comprising a length of materialhaving a first end region 30 comprising a first connecting element, asecond end region 32 comprising a second connecting element 34, a frontsurface, and a rear surface that is attached (e.g., selectivelyattached) via its first end region 30 at a portion of the support region12 substantially within (e.g., within) the pocket 22 (e.g., enclosedwithin the pocket). In particular embodiments, the safety tether 28 issubstantially permanently (e.g., permanently) affixed to the supportregion 12 (e.g., using any suitable technique such as sewing or fabricwelding). In various embodiments, the safety tether 28 is selectivelyattached to the safety garment via the first connecting element (e.g.,by attaching the first connecting element to a corresponding connectingelement at the support region 12). In various embodiments, the firstconnecting element 38 may include any suitable connecting element (e.g.,a snap, button, hook and loop fastener, etc.)

In a particular embodiment, a hook and loop fastener connecting elementmay be provided as a first connecting element 38 at the first end region30 of the safety tether 28. At the support region 12, for example at theinterior of the piece of cloth 24, a respective hook and loop fastenerelement may be provided as corresponding connecting element so that thefirst end region 30 can be coupled via a hook and loop fastenerconnection to the support region 12 in a section located in the pocket22.

In various embodiments, the second end region 32 of the safety tether 28comprises a second connecting element 34, for example in the form of ahook and loop fastener element or any other suitable connecting element.In particular embodiments, a connection region 36 is provided at thesupport region 12, for example, disposed on an outer portion of thepocket 22, with a second corresponding connecting element 38 that atleast substantially corresponds (e.g., operatively connects) with thesecond connecting element 34. In another embodiment, the safety tether28 also comprises a coupling region 40, which may also comprise one ormore connecting elements at a first and second tether portion 42, 44. Insuch embodiments, the coupling region 40 may include any suitableconnecting elements for releasably coupling the safety tether 28 at thecoupling region 40.

In the embodiment of a safety garment 10 shown in FIG. 1, the safetygarment 10 comprises a single safety tether 28 disposed at a lowerportion of the support region 12. In other embodiments, the safetygarment 10 may include a plurality of safety tethers 28 (e.g., onesafety tether 28 on each side of the safety garment 10), which may, forexample allow a user wearing the safety garment to couple themselves totwo or more persons (e.g., daisy chain) from a single safety garment 10.

A particular embodiment of the connection of the second end region 32 ofa safety tether 28 to the support region 12 is shown enlarged in FIG. 1a. This figure shows how a second connecting element 34 may connect withthe safety garment 12 of a second person. This figure also illustrateshow a selectively attachable first connecting element on the first endportion 30 may attach to the safety garment 10 of a first user. Here, adetail of the support region 12 is shown which may be provided, forexample, laterally behind the pocket 22 shown in FIG. 1 or, inembodiments without a pocket 22, on an outer portion or other suitablesurface of the support region 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, aflap-like cover element 35 is affixed about its upper end region to thesupport region 12 by a seam 37. In various embodiments, the flap-likecover element 35 may be affixed in any suitable manner (e.g., sewing, orfabric welding). At the interior of the cover element 35 facing thesupport region 12 and at the side of the support region 12 facing thecover element 35, the safety garment 10 further comprises a secondcounter connecting element 38 and/or 38′, which may for example, beaffixed by sewing.

In the embodiment shown in this figure, at the second end section 32 ofthe safety tether 28, located at both sides facing away from each other(e.g., on opposing sides of the safety connector's second end section32), a second connecting element 34 and/or 34′ is respectively provided,for example by sewing. When a coupling of the second end region 32 isestablished at the connection region 36, two connections are made,namely on the one side via the second connecting element 34 and thesecond counter connecting element 38 allocated thereto at the coverelement 35 and on the other side via the second connecting element 34′and the second counter connecting element 38′ allocated thereto at thesupport region 12. In various embodiments, the dual connecting elementsmay increase the strength of the connection and further contribute to animproved visual appearance, because even in an established connectionthis region is covered by the cover element 35 at the outside. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the connecting elements 34, 34′ and thecounter connecting elements 38, 38′ comprise hook and loop fastenerelements. A different type of connection may also be used such as, forexample, elements embodied like push-buttons, snaps, clips, etc.

Belt Embodiment

An alternative embodiment of the safety garment 10 a is shown in FIG. 2.This embodiment includes features that are similar to the embodimentdescribed with regard to FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown in this figure,the safety garment 10 a comprises a belt-like support region 12 a and asafety tether 28 a. The support region, in this embodiment, is embodiedlike a belt and can be fastened, for example, about the hip area of aperson. In this embodiment, the safety garment comprises two hook andloop fastener connections 16 a, 18 a disposed about a front portion ofthe safety garment 10 a. In other embodiments, the safety garment 10 amay include any other suitable fasteners for maintaining the safetygarment 10 a adjacent (e.g., to) a wearer's waist.

In the embodiment shown in this figure, the safety tether 28 a issubstantially structurally similar to the safety tether 28 describedabove with regards to FIG. 1 and is fastened at its first end region 30a at the support region 12 a in a releasable fashion. In variousembodiments, the side of the end region 30 a, facing the support region12 a, comprises a first connecting element 46 a in the form of a hookand loop fastener element. The support region 12 a comprises a firstcounter connecting element 48 a in the form of a hook and loop fastenerelement. In this embodiment, the safety tether 28 a may be releasablycoupled to the support region 12 a by severing the hook and loopfastener connection. In other embodiments, the safety tether 28 a may becoupled to the support region 12 a in any other suitable manner (e.g.,permanently or releasably using snaps, hooks or other fasteners; etc.)

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the safety tether 28 a comprises asecond connecting element 34 a that is disposed adjacent (e.g., to) thesafety tether's second end region 32 a. In various embodiments, thesecond connecting element 34 a may include any suitable connectingelement (e.g., such as a hook and loop fastener, snap, clip, button,etc.).

Shoulder Belt Embodiment

FIG. 3 shows yet another embodiment of a safety garment. In theembodiment shown in this figure, the safety garment 10 b comprises arope element 64 b and a vest-like support region 12 b comprising a chestregion 54 b, a back region 56 b, and two shoulder belt regions 50 b, 52b that extend between the chest region 54 b and back region 56 b. Inparticular embodiments, the chest region 54 b comprises a pocket 22 b,which may, for example be formed by sewing a piece of cloth 24 b ontothe support region 12 b. In the embodiment shown in this figure, thepocket 22 b defines an opening 26 b at the pocket's top. In variousembodiments, the pocket 22 b comprises two closure elements 58 b, 60 b(e.g., hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, etc.) such that arelatively small opening 62 b is defined between the closure elements 48b, 60 b. In various embodiments, the small opening 62 b is suitablysized such that the rope element 64 b of the safety tether 28 b can fitthrough the small opening 62 b.

In various embodiments, the safety garment comprises an automaticroll-up mechanism 66 b disposed within the pocket 22 b, which may beconfigured to substantially automatically (e.g., automatically) retractthe rope element 64 b. In particular embodiments, the roll-up mechanism66 b is sized such that when the closure elements 58 b, 60 b are closed,the roll up mechanism 66 b cannot pass through the small opening 62 b.In various embodiments, the roll-up mechanism 66 b comprises the firstconnecting element 46 b provided at the first end region 30 b. The firstcounter connecting element 48 b is essentially provided by the twoclosure elements 58 b, 60 b at the pocket 22 b and/or at the supportregion 12 b. When excessive force is applied on a pulled-out ropeelement 64 b the roll-up mechanism 66 b pushes through the small opening62 b and causes the closure elements 58 b, 60 b to open so that the sizeof the small opening 62 b increases and the safety connector 28 b can bereleased at its first end region 30 b from the support region 12 b.

In various embodiments, the safety connector's second end region 32 bcomprises a second connecting element 34 b (e.g., a hook and loopfastener or other suitable connecting element). In some embodiments, theconnection region 36 b comprises at the back 56 b a second counterconnecting element 38 b (e.g., for receiving the second connectingelement 34 b of a second safety garment 10 b). In particularembodiments, the safety connector 34 b is substantially structurallysimilar to (e.g., structurally the same as) the safety connector 34described above with respect to FIG. 1.

Shock Absorbing Safety Connector Embodiment

FIG. 4 shows a safety garment 10 c according to yet another embodiment.As may be understood from this figure, this embodiment is substantiallystructurally similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In thisembodiment, the safety tether 28 c further comprises a shock absorptionportion 68 c that allows portion 68 c to increase in length and returnto its original size. As shown in FIG. 4, the shock absorption portion68 c extends between the safety connector's first and second connectingportions 42 c, 44 c. In various embodiments, the shock absorptionportion 68 c comprises a length of material having a first end, a secondend, a front surface, and a rear surface. In particular embodiments, theshock absorption portion 68 c comprises a piece of elongatedsubstantially rectangular (e.g., rectangular) material. In variousembodiments, the material may include any suitable material that issufficiently elastic to allow the shock absorption portion 68 c toincrease in length in response to a pulling force, and sufficientlyspringy to return to a neutral position upon cessation of the pullingforce (e.g., a material such as spandex, elastane, etc.). In variousembodiments, the safety tether 28 c itself may at least partiallycomprise such an elastic material. In various embodiments, the shockabsorption portion 68 c may comprise any mechanism that is capable ofstretching (e.g., increasing in length) in response to a pulling tensileforce and returning to a neutral position upon cessation of the pullingforce (e.g., such as any suitable spring or biasing mechanism).

In various embodiments, the shock absorption portion is configured toallow the safety tether 28 c to extend from a first length (e.g., alength of the safety tether 28 c when no force tensile force is beingapplied to the safety tether 28 c) to a second length in response to atensile force on the safety tether 28 c. In particular embodiments, thesecond length is greater than the first length. In various embodiments,the shock absorption portion is configured to bias the safety tether 28c towards the neutral position in which the safety tether 28 c has alength that is substantially the first length.

In particular embodiments, the shock absorption portion 68 c may bedisposed along any suitable portion of the safety tether 28 c. Forexample the shock absorption portion 68 c may be disposed adjacent(e.g., to) either end of the safety tether 28 c or along any interiorportion of the elongated safety tether 28 c. In various embodiments, thesafety tether 28 c may comprise a plurality of shock absorption portions68 c. In other embodiments, the safety tether 28 c may consistessentially of a shock absorption portion 68 c.

In a particular embodiment, the shock absorption portion 68 c is bedisposed adjacent the safety connector's first end portion 30 and issubstantially permanently attached at the support region 12. In variousembodiments, the support region 12 defines one or more openings that aresized to substantially correspond to the elongated safety tether 28 csuch that the safety tether 28 may be strung through (e.g., by a user)the one or more openings in order to maintain the safety connectoradjacent (e.g., to) the support region 12 c.

Safety Connector Clip Embodiment

FIG. 5 shows a safety tether 28 d according to yet another embodiment.As may be understood from this figure, the safety tether 28 d in variousembodiments comprises a connecting element 34 d, a first connectingportion 42 d, a shock absorption portion 68 d, a second connectingportion 44 d and a clip 70 d.

Connecting Element

In various embodiments, the connecting element 34 d includes anysuitable connecting element 34 d such as the connecting elements 34 e,34 f, 34 g shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, which are described more fully below.

First Connecting Element Embodiment

FIG. 6A shows a connecting element 34 e according to a particularembodiment. As shown in this figure, the connecting element 34 ecomprises a first connecting portion 80 e and a second connectingportion 90 e. In the embodiment shown in this figure, the firstconnecting portion 80 e comprises a substantially rectangular (e.g.,rectangular) body 88 e that defines a substantially rectangular (e.g.,rectangular) first opening 86 e on the body's front face 84 e, asubstantially circular (e.g., circular) second opening 85 e on a sideface of the body 88 e, and a substantially rectangular (e.g.,rectangular) cutaway 83 e on the side face adjacent (e.g., to) a rearportion of the body 88 e. In various embodiments, the second opening 85e may be non-circular in shape (e.g., a rectangular opening, atriangular opening, etc.). As shown in this figure, the substantiallyrectangular cutaway 83 e defines two substantially co-facing rod supportfaces. The first connecting portion 80 e further comprises asubstantially cylindrical (e.g., cylindrical) rod 82 e that is disposedwithin the substantially rectangular cutaway 83 e, extends substantiallyperpendicularly (e.g., perpendicularly) from and between the twosubstantially co-facing rod support faces, and is configured to enableattachment of the first connecting portion 80 e to the safety tether 28.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the second connecting portion 90 e comprises asubstantially rectangular (e.g., rectangular) body 98 e that defines asubstantially rectangular (e.g., rectangular) cutaway 93 e on a sideface of the body 98 e. As shown in this figure the substantiallyrectangular cutaway 93 e defines two substantially co-facing rod supportfaces. The second connecting portion 90 e further comprises asubstantially cylindrical (e.g., cylindrical) rod 92 e that is disposedwithin the substantially rectangular cutaway 93 e, extends substantiallyperpendicularly (e.g., perpendicularly) from and between the twosubstantially co-facing rod support faces, and is configured to enableattachment of the second connecting portion 90 e to the safety tether28.

In various embodiments, the second connecting portion 90 e furthercomprises a substantially rhomboidal (e.g. rhomboidal) protrusion 96 ethat extends substantially perpendicularly (e.g., perpendicularly) froma front face 94 e of the body. In other embodiments, the protrusion 96 emay be any other suitable shape (e.g., a substantially triangular shape,a substantially rectangular shape, etc.). In the embodiment shown inthis figure, the rhomboidal protrusion has a substantially rectangularbase having dimensions that substantially correspond (e.g., correspond)to the dimensions of the rectangular first opening 86 e. In particularembodiments, the protrusion 96 e comprises a substantially dome-shaped(e.g., dome shaped) second protrusion 95 e (e.g., a detent) that isdisposed about the protrusion's outer face and extends from theprotrusion 96 e in a direction that is substantially perpendicular(e.g., perpendicular) from the direction in which the protrusion 96 eextends from the front face 94 e of the body 98 e. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 6A, the dome shaped second protrusion 95 e has a basediameter that is substantially similar to (e.g., the same as) thediameter of the first connecting portion's substantially circular secondopening 85 e. In other embodiments, the second protrusion 95 e may haveany suitable shape that at least generally corresponds to the shape ofthe second opening 85 e (e.g., triangular, rectangular, etc.)

As may be understood from this figure, the first and second connectingportions 80 e, 90 e are configured to allow a user (e.g., a wearer ofthe safety garment 10) to releasably couple the first and secondconnecting portions 80 e, 90 e together. In order to couple the firstand second connecting portions 80 e, 90 e, the user at least fullyinserts the substantially rhomboidal protrusion 96 e into the firstopening 86 e such that the second protrusion 95 e is at least partiallydisposed (e.g., fully disposed) within the second opening 85 e. As theuser begins to insert the substantially rhomboidal protrusion 96 e intothe first opening 86 e, the dome-shaped second protrusion 95 e contactsthe inside surface of the first connecting portion's front face 84 e andbegins to apply a force on the first connecting portion 80 e in adirection perpendicular to the face of the rhomboidal protrusion 96 efrom which the second protrusion 95 e extends. As the user continues toinsert the substantially rhomboidal protrusion 96 e into the firstopening 86 e, the force applied by the second protrusion 95 e causes theside face of the first connecting portion 80 e defining the secondopening 85 e to bend outward from its neutral position, allowing therhomboidal protrusion 96 e and the second protrusion 95 e to slide intothe first opening 86 e until the first and second connecting portions 80e, 90 e are in a coupled state (e.g., the second protrusion 95 e isseated in the second opening 85 e).

In the coupled state: (1) the first connecting portion's front face 84 eat least substantially contacts the second connecting portion's frontface 94 e; (2) the second protrusion 95 e is at least partially disposed(e.g., fully disposed) within the second opening 85 e; and (3) the sideface of the first connecting portion 80 e defining the second opening 85e is back in its neutral position. As will be understood by one skilledin the art, when the first and second connecting portions 80 e, 90 e arein the coupled state, the second protrusion is configured to maintainthe first and second connecting portions 80 e, 90 e in the coupledstate. In various embodiments, the connecting element 34 e may comprisea plurality of openings and corresponding protrusions on either or bothof the first and second connecting portions 80 e, 90 e to facilitatemaintenance of the coupled state.

In particular embodiments, a sufficient force pulling the first andsecond connecting portions 80 e, 90 e apart from one another may besufficient to cause the first and second connecting portions 80 e, 90 eto become decoupled. As the separating force is applied, the secondprotrusion begins to apply a perpendicular force on the inside surfaceof the side face of the first connecting portion 80 e defining thesecond opening 85 e causing it to bend away from its neutral position asufficient distance to allow the rhomboidal protrusion 96 e and thesecond protrusion 95 e to slide out of the first opening 86 e. Thus, theamount of force necessary to decouple the second connecting portions 80e, 90 e may depend on one or more of the material used to form thesecond connecting portion 80 e, 90 e and the thickness of the walls ofthe connecting portion 80 e.

Second Connecting Element Embodiment

FIG. 6B shows a connecting element 34 f according to another embodiment.As shown in this figure, the connecting element 34 f comprises a firstconnecting portion 80 f and a second connecting portion 90 f. In theembodiment shown in this figure, the first connecting portion 80 fcomprises a substantially rectangular (e.g., rectangular) body 88 f thatdefines a substantially rectangular (e.g., rectangular) cutaway 83 f ona side face of the body. As shown in this figure the substantiallyrectangular cutaway 83 f defines two substantially co-facing (e.g.,co-facing) rod support faces. The first connecting portion 80 f furthercomprises a substantially cylindrical (e.g., cylindrical) rod 82 f thatis disposed within the substantially rectangular cutaway 83 f andextends between the two substantially co-facing rod support faces. Asubstantially rectangular (e.g., rectangular) first magnet 85 f that isdisposed adjacent the body's front face 84 f is coupled to the body 88f. In various embodiments, the magnet 85 f may be coupled to the body 88f by a fastener (e.g., glue, a rivet or a screw) or the magnet 85 f maybe integrally formed with the body 88 f. In other embodiments, the firstconnecting portion may include any other suitable first magnet 85 f(e.g., a magnet having any other suitable shape), or any suitablematerial that is at least partially magnetic.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the second connecting portion 90 f comprises asubstantially rectangular (e.g., rectangular) body 98 f that defines asubstantially rectangular (e.g., rectangular) cutaway 93 f on a sideface of the body. As shown in this figure the substantially rectangularcutaway 93 f defines two substantially co-facing rod support faces. Thesecond connecting portion 90 f further comprises a substantiallycylindrical (e.g., cylindrical) rod 92 f that is disposed within thesubstantially rectangular cutaway 93 f, extends substantiallyperpendicularly (e.g., perpendicularly) from and between the twosubstantially co-facing rod support faces, and is configured to enableattachment of the second connecting portion 90 f to the safety tether28. In the embodiment shown in this figure, the second connectingportion 90 f comprises a second magnet 95 f disposed within an opening96 f defined on a front face 94 f of the second portion. In variousembodiments, the opening has dimensions that substantially correspond tothe dimensions of the first magnet 85 f. In particular embodiments, theouter face of the first magnet 85 f has a polarity that is substantiallyopposite the polarity of the outer face of the second magnet 95 f.

As may be understood from FIG. 6B, when the first and second connectingportions 80 f, 90 f are in a coupled state: (1) the first connectingportion's front face 84 f at least substantially contacts (e.g.,substantially mates with) the second connecting portion's front face 94f; (2) the first magnet 85 f is substantially adjacent to the secondmagnet 95 f; and (3) the first magnet 95 f is at least partiallydisposed (e.g., fully disposed) within the opening 96 f defined on thesecond portion's front face 94 f. As will be understood by one skilledin the art, a sufficient opposing force on the first and secondconnecting portions 80 f, 90 f will be sufficient to cause the first andsecond magnets 85 f, 95 f (e.g., and therefore the first and secondconnecting portions 80 f, 90 f) to decouple from one another.

Third Connecting Element Embodiment

FIG. 6C shows a connecting element 34 g according to a third embodiment.As shown in this figure, the connecting element 34 g is a hook and loopfastener element comprising a hook and loop fastener hook element 85 gand a hook and loop fastener loop element 95 g. As will be understood byone skilled in the art, the connecting element 34 g is configured toallow a user to releasably couple and decouple the hook and loopfastener hook element 85 g and the hook and loop fastener loop element95 g by pressing the elements together or pulling them apart withsufficient force respectively.

First Connecting Portion

Referring again to FIG. 5, in various embodiments, the safety tether 28d includes a first tether portion 42 d comprising a length of materialhaving a first end, a second end, a front surface, and a rear surface.In particular embodiments, the first tether portion 42 d comprises apiece of elongated substantially rectangular material. In variousembodiments, the material may include any suitable material that issubstantially flexible to allow the safety tether 28 d to hangsubstantially freely while having sufficient tensile strength such thatthe first tether portion 42 d maintains substantially the same length(e.g., the same length) when pulled (e.g., such as a cloth or a suitablewoven fabric). In other embodiments, the first tether portion mayinclude any other suitable tether portion (e.g., such as a rope, chain,etc.) In particular embodiments, the safety tether's first end isattached (e.g., to) the connecting element 34 d.

Shock Absorption Portion

In particular embodiments, the safety tether 28 d comprises a shockabsorption portion 68 d that extends between the safety tether's firstand second tether portions 42 d, 44 d. In various embodiments, the shockabsorption portion 68 d comprises a length of material having a firstend, a second end, a front surface, and a rear surface. In particularembodiments, the shock absorption portion 68 d comprises a piece ofelongated substantially rectangular (e.g., rectangular) material. Inparticular embodiments, the material is any suitable material that issufficiently stretchy to allow the shock absorption portion to increasein length in response to a pulling force, and sufficiently springy toreturn to a neutral position upon cessation of the pulling force (e.g.,a material such as spandex, elastane, etc.).

In various embodiments, the shock absorption portion is configured toallow the safety tether 28 d to extend from a first length (e.g., alength of the safety tether 28 d when no force tensile force is beingapplied to the safety tether 28 d) to a second length in response to atensile force. In particular embodiments, the second length is greaterthan the first length. In various embodiments, the shock absorptionportion is configured to bias the safety tether 28 d towards the neutralposition in which the safety tether 28 d has a length that issubstantially the first length.

Second Connecting Portion

In various embodiments, the safety tether 28 d includes a second tetherportion 44 d comprising a length of material having a first end, asecond end, a front surface, and a rear surface. In particularembodiments, the second tether portion 44 d comprises a piece ofelongated substantially rectangular material. In various embodiments,the material may include any suitable material that is substantiallyflexible to allow the safety tether 28 d to hang substantially freelywhile having sufficient tensile strength such that the second tetherportion 44 d maintains substantially the same length (e.g., the samelength) when pulled (e.g., such as a cloth or a suitable woven fabric).In other embodiments, the second tether portion 44 d may include anyother suitable tether portion (e.g., such as a rope, chain, etc.) Inparticular embodiments, the shock absorption portion's second end isattached (e.g., to) the second tether portion's first end and the clip70 d is attached (e.g., to) the second tether portion's second end.

Clip

In particular embodiments, the safety tether 28 d includes a clip 70 dadjacent the second tether portion's second end. In various embodiments,the clip 70 d includes any suitable clip for allowing a user toselectively attach the safety tether 28 d to any suitable object orperson (e.g., a shopping cart, etc.). In the embodiment shown in thisfigure, the clip 70 d is embodied as a carabineer comprising a loop(e.g., comprised of three pieces 72 d, 74 d, 76 d) and a spring gate 78d. In the embodiment shown in this figure, the spring gate 78 d isconfigured to rotate about an axis 80 d and comprises a biasingmechanism (e.g., a spring) for biasing the spring gate to the neutralposition shown in FIG. 5.

Safety Garment and Safety Connecter Illustrative Uses

In various embodiments, when the safety tether 28 is not being used forcoupling two or more persons, it may be accepted in the pocket 22 in arolled up or folded fashion (e.g., in order to store the safety tether28). As a particular example, if a connection between individual personsof a group shall be implemented (e.g., to form a daisy chained group ofkindergarteners), the safety tether 28 may be pulled out of the pocket22 and connected via the safety tether's second connecting element 34provided at its second end region 32 to the connection region 36 and/orthe second counter connecting element 38 thereof provided at the supportregion 12 of a second safety garment 10 (e.g., a safety garment 10 wornby another person). This person may for example be positioned in front,behind, or next to the person wearing the safety garment 10 (e.g., suchas the safety garment 10 shown in FIG. 1). In various embodiments, itmay be possible to form a continuous group of persons (e.g., acontinuous group of coupled persons), which may, for example, move inpublic in this form such that the risk that individual persons maybecome separated from the other connected persons is reduced (e.g.,eliminated).

In particular embodiments, the safety garment's second end region 32 maybe releasable when attached to the safety garment 10 of another person.In such embodiments, in situations in which two or more persons arecoupled to one another, if one person trips for example, the pullingforce on the safety tether 28 may be sufficient to cause the secondconnecting element 34 to be released from the connecting element of thesafety garment 10 of the other person. If the second connecting element34 cannot release from the second safety garment 10 due to anobstruction (e.g., due to being caught on one of the safety garmentwearers, etc.), the pulling force on the safety tether 28 may cause thefirst end region 30 to sever its connection to the support region 12. Inparticular embodiments, the force required for releasing the first endregion 30 from the support region 12 may be greater than the forcerequired for releasing the second end region 32 from the allocatedand/or here coupled connection region 36 of the other safety garment 10.

In particular embodiments, it may be possible for a first coupled personto exert a force on the safety tether 28 that is insufficient todecouple any of the connecting elements maintaining the connectionbetween the first coupled person and a second coupled person but issufficient to exert a force on the second coupled person (e.g., becausethe first coupled person is moving more quickly than the second coupledperson, the first coupled person falls behind the second coupled person,the first coupled person changes direction, etc.). In such embodiments,the safety tether's shock absorption portion 64 may be configured toenable the safety tether 28 to increase in length to at least partiallyabsorb the force exerted by the first coupled person such that thesecond coupled person can continue traveling substantially unperturbed(e.g., substantially without feeling the force exerted by the firstcoupled person on the safety tether 28). In such embodiments, the shockabsorption portion 64 may be configured to bias the safety tether 28back to its neutral length, which may cause the safety tether 28 toreturn to its neutral length upon cessation of the pulling force.

In various embodiments the force required to decouple any of theconnecting elements is greater than the force required to stretch thesafety tether 28 (e.g., stretch the shock absorption portion 64 of thesafety tether 28) to a substantially fully extended length (e.g., to themaximum length to which the safety tether is capable of extending). Inother embodiments, the force required to decouple any of the connectingelements may be less than the force required to stretch the safetytether 28 to a substantially fully extended length, but greater than aforce required to at least partially stretch the safety tether 28 to alength greater than the length of the safety tether 28 in a neutralstate (e.g., a state in which the safety tether 28 is not experiencing atensile force).

Alternative Embodiments

In various embodiments, the safety garment may include additionalfeatures to those described above or different combinations of anyfeatures described above. Exemplary alternative embodiments aredescribed below.

Life Vest

In various embodiments, a safety garment may be embodied as a life vestthat includes a safety tether for selectively coupling one or morewearers of the life vest together. In such embodiments, the supportregion may comprise one or more selectively inflatable bladders that areconfigured to maintain a volume of air. In particular embodiments, theone or more bladders may be configured to maintain a sufficient volumeof air to allow a wearer of the safety garment to float. In variousembodiments in which the safety garment is embodied as a life vest, thesafety tether may be substantially permanently attachable to the safetygarment (e.g., or coupled with sufficient strength to prevent twocoupled persons who are floating from becoming disconnected).

Alarm

In various embodiments, the safety garment 10 may be configured toinclude an alarm that signals when the safety tether 28 detaches atcoupling region 40. For example, the safety tether 28 may includeelectrical leads that are embedded in the safety tether 28 and that areattached to a battery operated alarm unit that is coupled to the safetygarment 10. In various embodiments, the coupling region 40 may act as aswitch that is in a closed position when the coupling region is intact(e.g., tether portion 42 is attached to tether portion 44). In thisconfiguration, the alarm is not triggered. However, when sufficientforce is exerted on the safety tether 28 to cause the coupling region 40to detach, the switch may be in the open position causing the alarm tosound. Placement of the alarm on the safety vest 10 allows the wearer ofthe vest to be easily tracked by the sound of the alarm. In variousother embodiments, the alarm may be located on the either of tetherportions 42, 44.

Other Suitable Safety Garment Embodiments

In various embodiments, a safety garment may comprise any suitablegarment or wearable object. For example, a safety garment may include abracelet, a shirt, a pair of pants, a jacket, a sweatshirt, a pair ofgloves, a sleeve, a backpack or other satchel, etc.

CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tomind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains havingthe benefits of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptionsand the associated drawings. For example, as will be understood by oneskilled in the relevant field in life of this disclosure, the inventionmay take form in a variety of different mechanical and operationalconfigurations. As a particular example, when a hook and loop fastenerelement is described, it should be understood that it may include a hookand loop fastener hook element, a hook and loop fastener loop element,or any other suitable combination of hook and loop elements or hook andloop fastener elements. Therefore, it is to be understood that theinvention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed andthat modifications and other embodiments are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the appended exemplary concepts. Although specificterms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptivesense only and not for the purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A safety garment for releasably coupling a firstuser to a second user comprising: a body portion comprising a firstconnecting element; an elongated safety tether having a first lengthwhen said safety tether is in a neutral state, said safety tethercomprising: a first end region that is operatively coupled to the bodyportion; a second end region that is configured to be operativelycoupled to the second user; at least one elongated tether portion thatextends intermediate said first and second end regions; a shockabsorption portion disposed intermediate said first and second endregions and operatively coupled to said at least one elongated tetherportion; and a releasable connector that is disposed intermediate thefirst and second end regions, wherein said releasable connectorcomprises a first and a second connecting portion, wherein: saidreleasable connector is configured to releasably couple said firstperson and said second person via said safety tether; said shockabsorption portion is configured to allow said safety tether to extendto a second length at least partially in response to a first particulartensile force on said safety tether; and said shock absorption portionis configured to bias said safety tether toward said neutral state. 2.The safety garment of claim 1, wherein: said first connecting portioncomprises a hook and loop fastener hook element; and said secondconnecting portion comprises a hook and loop fastener loop element. 3.The safety garment of claim 1, wherein said first connecting portioncomprises a substantially rectangular body that defines: a substantiallyrectangular first opening on a front face of said body, said firstopening having sides that are substantially parallel to correspondingsides of said body; and a second opening formed through a side of saidbody, wherein said substantially rectangular body is configured tocouple to said safety tether.
 4. The safety garment of claim 3, whereinsaid second connecting portion comprises a substantially rectangularbody that comprises: a first flange that extends in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to a front face of said body; and asubstantially dome-shaped detent that extends from a side face of saidflange in a direction substantially perpendicular to a face of saidbody, wherein said detent is configured to be releasably received insaid second opening of said first connecting portion.
 5. The safetygarment of claim 4, wherein said detent and one or more walls definingsaid second opening are configured to cooperate to maintain said firstand second connecting portions in a substantially coupled relationship.6. The safety garment of claim 1, wherein: when said first connectingportion is coupled to said second connecting portion, said first andsecond connecting portions are configured to decouple at least partiallyin response to a second particular force, wherein said second particularforce causes said detent to release from said second opening.
 7. Thesafety garment of claim 6, wherein said second particular force isgreater than said first particular tensile force.
 8. The safety garmentof claim 1, wherein: said body portion comprises a third connectingportion; said safety tether first end region comprises a fourthconnection portion; wherein: said third and fourth connecting portionsare releasably coupled to one another.
 9. The safety garment of claim 1,wherein: said second user is wearing a second safety garment; saidsafety tether second region is operatively coupled to said second safetygarment in order to daisy chain said first and said second user.
 10. Thesafety garment of claim 1, wherein said safety garment is selected froma group consisting of: (1) a vest; (2) a belt; (3) a shirt; and (4) alife vest.
 11. The safety garment of claim 1, wherein said firstconnecting portion comprises a first magnet, and said second connectingportion comprises a second magnet, wherein: said first and secondmagnets are configured to cooperate to maintain said first and secondconnecting portions in a releasably coupled relationship; and said firstand second connecting portions are configured to release at leastpartially in response to a sufficient pulling force.
 12. A safety tetherfor releasably coupling a first object to a second object, comprises: afirst end region comprising a first connector; a second end regioncomprising a second connector; at least one elongated tether portionthat extends intermediate said first and second end regions; a shockabsorption portion disposed intermediate said first and second endregions and operatively coupled to said at least one elongated tetherportion; and a releasable connector that is disposed intermediate thefirst and second end regions, wherein said releasable connectorcomprises a third and a fourth connector, wherein: said safety tetherhas a first length; said first connector is configured to allow a userto couple said first end region to said first object; said secondconnector is configured to allow a user to couple said second end regionto said second object; said third and fourth connectors are releasablyconnected to allow said first object to decouple from said second objectat least partially in response to a first tensile force on said safetytether; said shock absorption portion is configured to enable saidsafety tether to extend to a second length at least partially inresponse to a second tensile force on said safety tether, wherein saidsecond tensile force is less than said first tensile force; and saidshock absorption portion is configured to bias said safety tether towarda neutral position in which said safety tether has a length that issubstantially said first length.
 13. The safety tether of claim 12,wherein: said first object is a first safety garment worn by a firstperson; and said second object is a second safety garment worn by asecond person.
 14. The safety tether of claim 12, wherein said shockabsorption portion comprises a material that is sufficiently stretchableto enable said shock absorption portion to increase in length from aneutral length at least partially in response to said second tensileforce and sufficiently resilient to return said shock absorption portioninto said neutral length when said second tensile force is removed fromsaid safety tether.
 15. The safety garment of claim 12, wherein saidthird connector comprises a substantially rectangular body that defines:a substantially rectangular first opening on a front face of said body,said first opening having sides that are substantially parallel tocorresponding sides of said body; and a second opening formed through aside of said body, wherein said substantially rectangular body isconfigured to couple to said safety tether.
 16. The safety garment ofclaim 15, wherein said fourth connector comprises a substantiallyrectangular body that comprises: a first flange that extends in adirection substantially perpendicular to a front face of said body; anda substantially dome-shaped detent that extends from a side face of saidflange in a direction substantially perpendicular to a face of saidbody, wherein said detent is configured to be releasably received insaid second opening of said first connecting portion.
 17. The safetytether of claim 16, wherein: said flange is substantially rhomboidal inshape said detent is substantially semi-spherical; said second openingis substantially circular; and a first diameter of said detent issubstantially equal to a second diameter of said second opening.
 18. Amethod of releasably coupling a first person to a second person, saidmethod comprising: providing a safety tether for selectively couplingsaid first person to said second person, wherein said safety tether hasa first length and comprises: a first end region that is configured tobe operatively coupled to said first person; a second end region that isconfigured to be operatively coupled to said person; at least oneelongated tether portion that extends intermediate said first and secondend regions; a shock absorption portion disposed intermediate said firstand second end regions and operatively coupled to said at least oneelongated tether portion; and a releasable connector that is disposedintermediate the first and second end regions, wherein said releasableconnector comprises a first and a second connecting portion, wherein:said releasable connector is configured to releasably couple said firstperson and said second person via said safety tether; said shockabsorption portion is configured to allow said safety tether to extendto a second length at least partially in response to a first particulartensile force on said safety tether; and said shock absorption portionis configured to bias said safety tether toward said neutral state.coupling said first end region to said first person; coupling saidsecond end region to said second person; and coupling said first andsecond connecting portions to releasably couple said first person tosaid second person.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein: said firstconnecting portion comprises a hook and loop fastener hook element; andsaid second connecting portion comprises a hook and loop fastener loopelement.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein: said first connectingportion comprises a substantially rectangular body that defines: asubstantially rectangular first opening on a front face of said body,said first opening having sides that are substantially parallel tocorresponding sides of said body; and a second opening formed through aside of said body, wherein said substantially rectangular body isconfigured to couple to said safety tether; and said second connectingportion comprises a substantially rectangular body that comprises: afirst flange that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular toa front face of said body; and a substantially dome-shaped detent thatextends from a side face of said flange in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to a face of said body, wherein said detent is configuredto be releasably received in said second opening of said firstconnecting portion.